Custom essays on Steroids

Steroids
Steroid is a representative of a group of natural or synthetic hormones, which are complex lipids based on cholesterol molecules and affect the chemical processes in the body, as well as growth, sexual and other physiological functions. Steroids include adrenal-cortical, testicular and ovarian hormones and their derivatives. Steroids, which athletes use, are androgenic steroids acting as testosterone that is a natural male hormone. Steroids, which are used for the treatment of various inflammations, are called corticosteroids, and they do not have an anabolic effect. Anabolic steroids allow you to restore muscle quickly after exercise. They are also associated with increased aggression, the effect of euphoria, a reduction in the concentration and increase endurance. There are also a number of negative effects occurring with prolonged use (Yesalis, 2000 p.56).
As it was said above, steroids have a positive effect on the organism, but their damage can be much greater. The following are the most common and significant negative effects of steroid use.
1. Swelling. A swelling of tissues happens because of excessive water retention. For most athletes this leads to a slight increase in the body and smoothing of the relief. Edema is especially noticeable on the cheeks and under eyes (Fitzhugh, 2000 p. 41).
2. Acne. Anabolic steroids can cause acne or make more noticeable the problem with the already existing acne. While using steroids a lot of acnes can appear on back, chest, shoulders, neck and face.
3. Gynecomastia. An abnormally enlarged breast of men is a common side effect. The main reason for this effect is the aromatization of steroids – conversion to estrogen in excess doses.
4. Aggression. Growth of aggression is very characteristic for steroid users. Some athletes believe that it helps them to better endure the training load and perform better in competitions. However, aggression acts as a negative phenomenon more often.
5. Hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure becomes a problem for many athletes who use steroids. This usually occurs at the same time due to the rapid increase of weight and water retention in the body.
6. Diseases of the cardiovascular system. As seen from the above, anabolic steroids significantly increase the risk of heart disease. This can lead to the formation of cholesterol plaques on artery walls, and later to a complete blocking of blood vessels.
7. Increasing of the heart size. With a massive long-term use of steroids the cardiac hypertrophy can be developed. This condition can be very dangerous.
8. Virilization is a hyper-development of secondary male characteristics. This group of side effects is associated with androgenic activity of steroids. The most common first symptom of this negative reaction is the change of the voice, it becomes low and hoarse.
9. Cancer. The use of anabolic steroids is associated with cancer not very often. But such a relationship may still exist. As a result of steroids in the liver may appear a tumor that will lead to cancer. It is also possible to get a hemangioma of the liver, blood-filled cysts.
10. Dysfunction of the liver. It is known that prolonged steroid treatment, especially at high doses, leads to progressive cholestasis, jaundice and other negative changes.
11. Bleeding. While using steroids, blood clotting time is increased 2-4 times. Another negative consequence is an increased frequency of nasal bleeding, which happen with a rise of blood pressure.
12. Headaches. Many steroid users are suffering from severe headaches. This may be a symptom of hypertension. Sometimes athletes suffer from headaches due to abnormal contraction of neck muscles (Lau, 2008 p.21).
13. Pain in the stomach. Oral anabolic steroids can cause discomfort in the stomach. It is also possible to have a loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn.
14. Damage to the muscles and bones. Athletes, who use steroids, can have tears and other damage to muscle tissue more frequently than others. It is believed that this is the result of the emerging imbalance between increasing the contractile ability of muscles, and lack of strength of ligaments and tendons.
15. The increase in prostate and other problems with it. Anabolic steroids are directly related to an increase of the prostate gland, which can develop into malignant phenomenon (Lenehan, 2003 p.96).
16. Impotence. Many athletes suffer from changes in libido. At the beginning of a steroid cycle, there is some increase in sexual desire, with a rising and increasing duration of erections. But in the use of synthetic hormones secretion of endogenous testosterone levels are reduced and impotence may occur.
17. Premature hair loss. Many athletes who use steroids complain about thinning of hair on their heads.
18. Stagnation. Young people who use steroids risk of not realizing the potential of their growth. The fact is that steroids “close” the epifizal growth zone of long bones.
19. Inhibition of activity of the immune system. After the cycle of steroids, many people noted the increased susceptibility to viral diseases, colds and even pneumonia (Taylor, 2002 p.265).
20. Insomnia and other disorders of the central nervous system. Athletes often complain of difficulty falling asleep during a cycle.
21. Metabolic disorders. Steroids have a strong impact on the metabolic needs of the organism. Steroid treatment leads to severe deficiency of vitamins B1, B6, B5, A, B12, choline, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, chromium and manganese and strong fluctuations of glucose in the blood (Freedman, 2009 p.13).
Even if steroids are considered to have a harmful effect on organism, there are people who support the idea of using them. Here is a part of interview about anabolic steroids with Adam Nomad, a bodybuilder from Canada.
Q.: “Have you had any experience with anabolic steroids?
A.: Sure I have, all bodybuilders use them. Even those, who name themselves “natural bodybuilders”. It’s like surgery – many go under knife, but nobody confesses.
Q.: But anabolic steroids are known to have pretty tragic side effects. Have you experienced any of these or other side effects on your body?
A.: This may sound picture perfect, but for now I have had no side effects from taking anabolic steroids and I am a fully functional person and make more than a productive contribution to society and do not harm anyone with my actions and I believe with all my heart, that I am not harming my own health either. I have educated myself regarding the intake of these substances and would challenge most doctors with the knowledge I have built up over the years and my understanding of the specific training regimen I am involved in.” (GenXXL. 2008)
Every person chooses himself whether to use steroids or not. It is a free choice of everyone, but every person should have full information before making decision.

References

GenXXL. Bodybuilding Interviews. “Steroids Should Be Legal?” May 13th, 2008.
Fitzhugh, Karla. Steroids‎. 2005.
Freedman, Jeri. Steroids: High-Risk Performance Drugs‎. 2009.
Lau, Doretta. Steroids‎. 2008.
Lenehan, Pat. Anabolic steroids: and other performance-enhancing drugs‎. 2003.
Taylor, William N. Anabolic steroids and the athlete‎. 2002.
Yesalis, Charles. Anabolic steroids in sport and exercise‎. 2000.